Category: Video

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers.

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what exactly is on your mind. This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like.

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what exactly is on your mind.

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what exactly is on your mind. This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what exactly is on your mind.

Has anyone asked you to pray for them and you forgot? As a pastor, there are many that people that ask for prayer and also as a pastor, I feel the burden to pray for people. But at the same time, it’s hard to keep track sometimes. Years ago, I remember feeling this burden and wanting to be better at praying for people, and so I remember creating an Excel spreadsheet. The top columns were the days of the week and the rows were the different people that I wanted to pray for, organized by category (family, friends, church, missionaries, etc.). That worked well, as finally I had a system to keep track of people I’m praying for. But over time, it was hard to keep it updated, as I would have to make changes on the computer and then print it out over and over.

Well, about 6 months ago, I found an app on my phone called “Prayer Notebook” where it would keep track of the people that I pray for. But it would really take it to the next level. Things like being able to text them right after I prayed for them, letting them know, to alerting me at a specific time to be reminded to pray for something, it is an amazing little app.

So, one of our signature dinners that we make when we have people over, especially a large group, is Brazilian BBQ. That’s because it’s very easy to make and it’s a hit EVERY single time. In fact, almost every time, people ask me how to make it, and so about 4 years ago, I made a little video showing how I grill it. Since people have been asking again, more recently, I’m reposting it (easier to say, “see my blog” vs. explaining). If you’ve never tasted it, you’ve gotta try it.

We usually go all out Brazilian when we do this: pao de queijo (cheese bread), mango salsa, brazilian rice, guarana (brazilian soda), etc. There’s a local Brazilian market that I usually get these from or you can order online.

I had the privilege of going to Brazil 2 years in a row (2009 and 2010), and they are truly one of the nicest people in the world. They also have amazing food … Good people, good food, what more could you ask for?

It’s been said that the vainest things in life are the ones that we expect the most contentment from. We are hedonists and pleasure seekers by nature. We want satisfaction and contentment and seem committed to finding it somewhere on earth. People are constantly asking, “What’s the meaning of life,” like maybe the answer would satisfy their discontent. However, few people meditate on this question, and most would rather pacify themselves with fleeting pleasures.

They wake up every day only to repeat the cycle of seeking contentment, not finding it, and settling for some form of temporary gratification. It’s a virtual Groundhog Day for humanity. King Solomon understood this more than anyone, and he writes in Ecclesiastes 1:9, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun” (ESV).

Earlier in verse two of the same chapter, he calls everything “meaningless” or “vanity” which translates better as “redundant”. Obviously, everything isn’t meaningless, otherwise why take time to teach people the valuable lessons in Ecclesiastes? Redundant, however, makes perfect sense.

We, outside of a relationship with Jesus who satisfies our deepest longings, are left to a redundant existence. Were it not for faith in another life to come, we’d have no hope but to look for contentment in power, pleasure, or possessions, only to never find it. Life seems very worthless under the sun, unless your worth is found in the Son.

Happy Valentines Day!

This is a great video inspired by one of my favorite recent books, Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller. I love the book because it reminds us that even though idolatry and false gods might seem like an Old Testament thing, that in modern day, we have our own counterfeit gods. Every chapter is almost like a Bible study on a character or story that highlights the idols that we in our day still struggle with. Highly recommended.

Tim Keller is one of the best preachers and author of reminding us that its not by our merit or efforts that we receive salvation, but only by grace. Love this quote:

“If you want God’s grace, all you need is need, all you need is nothing.”

Do you think we still have counterfeit gods in our day? What do you think they are?

As we make our lists, priorities, and resolutions for 2013, here’s a strange suggestion – don’t put Jesus first this year. Seriously. Don’t. Now before crying ‘heresy!’ and picking up some stones to throw, check out this clip from Steven Furtick, as he explains why putting Jesus first limits His influence in the other areas of our lives.